Kolo Toure says Nations Cup is chance to showcase Africa

KOLO TOURE believes the African Nations Cup is a chance for players to paint a positive picture of the continent.

Kolo Toure says the African Nation Cup can shine good light on the continent

Ebola, terrorism and the violent activities of Islamist militants Boko Haram have all kept Africa in the headlines over the last year.

Even the African Nations Cup itself was affected by the ebola epidemic when original hosts Morocco requested a postponement, which eventually resulted in the tournament being moved to Equatorial Guinea.

It finally kicks off on Saturday with Ivory Coast defender Toure hoping the 14 nations involved can put on a show to make the continent feel proud.

A lot of us play for top clubs in Europe but when you have the opportunity to make African people happy you have to take it

Kolo Toure

"A lot of us play for top clubs in Europe but when you have the opportunity to make African people happy you have to take it," he said.

"It's one of the continents which suffers every single minute. When we go to the Africa Nations Cup they are so proud to see us. You can feel the joy in everybody.

"Nobody will think about ebola or war, or anything else. They will just focus on football. For me that's why it's very important to bring them that joy because the continent deserves that."